English Chess Forum

I was in my chess man cave playing over a Carlsen game from the Soltis book when I got the call:
"Geoff, Chess on the telly."

Just watched 'Mysteries at the Museum' on the History channel.

It was on Ossip Bernstein and how he escaped from being shot because he was a chess player.
The programme said Bernstein was just about to be shot when the officer in charge of the firing squad recognised him
(though Bernstein was wearing a blindfold?) and asked if he had ever been mistaken for the chess player. Ossip Bernstein.

Bernstein said it was him and he had to play a game of chess v the officer and win to prove it.
During the dramatic playing chess sequence the board was, of course, around the wrong way.

The 'official' story is an officer recognised his name on the list of those to be shot.

More here including some amusing Bernstein anecdotes.

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessplayer?pid=10237

Reading the posts it appears that for four years they had up the wrong picture (one of Jacob Bernstein instead.)
Just as well who ever it was who pasted in the first photograph was not an officer in charge of a firing squad.
They would not have recognised Bernstein. (I'd go with the recognised name on the list version, it is the
one Bernstein related to Arnold Denker.)

Thanks to Youtube, interview by the legendary Johnny Carson of Bobby Fischer in 1972. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxvnEwvgfeI

Richard James wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 07, 2020 8:03 pm

Mick Norris wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 07, 2020 7:52 pm

Mick Norris wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 16, 2020 7:51 pm

Chess question on tonight's Only Connect

Sequence round staring with Boris then Bobby

Another sequence tonight

But it's a rook, not a castle!

Petrosian one of the clues on last night's episode

Mick Norris wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 02, 2021 8:51 pm

Richard James wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 07, 2020 8:03 pm

Mick Norris wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 07, 2020 7:52 pm

Another sequence tonight

But it's a rook, not a castle!

Petrosian one of the clues on last night's episode

Only Connect Series 16 episode 24.
This was a nice question. From memory, what connects:

John McEnroe Wimbledon winner 1980

World chess champion Tigran Petrosian

Mikhail Gorbachev Soviet Premier

Theresa May Prime Minister

I had player on pause a few seconds then gave up but should have got it. People on this forum would know a fact in common about Tigran and Theresa, sufficient to get the answer, others probably for older forumites with a good general knowledge.

(Answer isn't: most criticized holder of title in living memory! Gorbachev has a good press in the West).

To raise the excitement to fever pitch I will post answer in a few days if no-one posts correct answer. Perhaps don't post if you didn't guess before watching programme?

Think it was McEnroe 1984

Yes 1984, thanks Mick. Think I'm not supposed to edit my original post, so will leave anyone interested to read on.

It is a great question. I am struggling to come up with anything.

Oh dear, I'd come up with the idea that they were all succeeded by ladies' men (married multiple times). However, on consideration, I think the answer might be a little simpler than that

Well, you'd got that it was linked to their successors.

The second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final is "una partida del ajedrez" according to our commentator on the Telecinco channel.

IM Jack Rudd wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 03, 2021 9:06 pm

Well, you'd got that it was linked to their successors.

A B+ for that clue

Tim Spanton wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 03, 2021 9:52 pm

A B+ for that clue

What is the etiquette about shouting out the answer? Alternatively, how do I claim the prize?

Roland Kensdale wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 03, 2021 6:39 pm

Yes 1984, thanks Mick. Think I'm not supposed to edit my original post, so will leave anyone interested to read on.

No one would mind

I hit the pause button when Petrosian came on screen but didn't get anywhere even after a couple of minutes thought, mainly as I couldn't get McEnroe v Borg out of my head

I did get it after clue 4 came up, albeit not immediately

JustinHorton wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 03, 2021 9:23 pm

The second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final is "una partida del ajedrez" according to our commentator on the Telecinco channel.

Disappointing result

NickFaulks wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 03, 2021 10:34 pm

Tim Spanton wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 03, 2021 9:52 pm

A B+ for that clue

What is the etiquette about shouting out the answer? Alternatively, how do I claim the prize?

You wait in queue behind Jack Rudd and me